Milou en mai

Milou en mai, released in 1990, is a charming and insightful French comedy-drama directed by the acclaimed Louis Malle. Starring Miou-Miou, Michel Piccoli, and Michel Duchaussoy, the film artfully portrays a turbulent time in French history, while playfully poking fun at the idiosyncrasies of a very complicated family.

The story gravitates around Émile Vieuzac (Michel Piccoli), affectionately known as Milou, a middle-aged man who has spent his whole life on his beautiful, bucolic countryside estate in the South of France. An idyllic and predictable existence becomes discomposed when Milou's elderly mother passes away suddenly, just as the nationwide social unrest of May 1968 is nearing its peak.

With his mother's death comes the inevitable scramble for inheritance, leading to a family reunion of sorts. As the strikes and protests paralyze the whole country, Milou's family members come to the estate to figure out the divisions of properties. The arrival of the eccentric kinfolk introduces the audience to a host of fascinating character studies, all played by excellent performers.

Miou-Miou shines as Camille, Milou's estranged daughter who becomes involved in the estate conversations. She is an independent, liberal-minded woman embroiled in the Parisian upheavals of the 1960s. Her appearance adds a layer of complexity to Milou's relatively straightforward life, as the narrative explores themes of generational and societal change.

Michel Duchaussoy, the renowned French actor, is excellent as Georges, Milou’s son-in-law who is more interested in the financial aspect of the estate rather than sympathizing with Milou's emotional loss. These disparate characters with conflicting interests are a mirror to the external chaos that is shaking the country, subtly symbolizing the generational and ideological rifts catalyzed by the 1960s counterculture movement.

Louis Malle successfully nosedives into various themes ranging from generational gaps, socio-political turmoil, familial ties, and the inevitable passage of time with grace and a good sense of humor. The film's backdrop of 1968 societal unrest is not a coincidence, it helps deepen the narrative by creating parallels between the country's external transformations and this family's personal evolutions.

Visually, Milou en mai is a sumptuous experience which makes full use of its idyllic Provencal setting. The use of the countryside, the serene vineyard, the sprawling lush field, all contrasts sharply with the turmoil of the unfolding family drama and the outside world. The cinematography enhances the abstract nature of the story, making the house and its landscape as crucial characters in the narrative.

Also noteworthy is the film’s evocative, charming score that punctuates the drama, its lilting notes heightening the atmosphere and contributing to the overall light-hearted tone. The dialogue is sharply written, often bordering on satirical, providing a comic touch even in the film's more dramatic scenes.

Milou en mai is not just a commentary on the disharmony of a family, but it serves as a metaphorical representation of France itself during that epoch of change and societal evolution. By interweaving personal dramas with global events, Louis Malle brings to the fore the timeless narrative of change, both at the individual and societal level.

Milou en mai is more than just familial discord and chaos, it's also about the beautiful melancholy of lost epochs, the nostalgia for the past, the fear of the future, and the realization that time's passage is inevitable. Through its rich characters, authentic performances, and evocative setting, the film becomes a timeless slice of cinema that is incredibly satisfying for the heart and the mind.

The film will appeal to the admirer of Louis Malle's filmography and those who enjoy their comedy-dramas served with a side of historical and social context. Its context and narrative effectively capture a pivotal moment in French history while telling a universal story about the human spirit, the complexities of family ties, and the pursuit of personal liberation.